Protective nail device



Feb. 22,1944. E. F. coATEs PROTECTIVE NAIL DEVICE Fil ed May 15, 1942 imam/1 60 26 Patented Feb. 22, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2342.530 moments NAIL DEVICE Erwin-Rotates, St. PauL'lVIinn. ApplicationMay 15, 1942,"serial u'ofiiiz'tas My invention relates to an improvement in nail protecting device, and isparticularly useful the treatment of ingrown toe nails, and the like.

It is the object of the present inv'entiontoprovide a nail protecting device capable of'relieving the pain due to ingrown toe nails. 'Ihave found that these nails often grow into the skin'of the toe at the edges of the nail so that -pressureagainst the end of the toe will cause the nail to diginto this skin. As a result, the flesh surrounding the nail becomes inflamed and oftentimes'infected, resulting in considerable pain and discomfort.

I have found that if a protecting device is applied to the-nail and holds the flesh of the toe away from the end of the nail, much discomfort maybe avoided. The protecting device extends forwardly from the hail of the toe and is preferably adhered theretoin any suitable manner. The position of the protecting device is such as to relieve any strain forcing the toe against the end of the nail, allowing the inflamed flesh to properly 'heal and permitting the nail to assume its proper shape. I

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a nail protecting device which fits over the surface of the nail and which extends down between the edge of the nail and the flesh so as to prevent the flesh from being forced against the nail edge. This arrangement allows the nail to gradually grow into proper shape, thus preventing continual discomfort.

A further feature 'of'the present invention lies in the provision of 'a nail protecting device designed to fit over the surface and along the "edges of the nail, and which is rovided with a thickened edge portion which provides a comfortable bearing against the skin. The thickened edges of the nail protecting device are designed to lie between the nail edge and the flesh, which lies outwardly from the nail edge, preventing this flesh from pressing against the edge of the nail.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a nail protecting device formed in two sections, one of which is designed to engage along each side of the nail. Each of the sections covers one side of the nail and may be individually fitted into proper position. As a result a single protecting device may fit numerous widths of nails.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a nail protecting device which is adhered to the surface of the nail and which projects forwardly therefrom to hold the flesh forwardly of the nail into its proper relation with the nail. Thisconstruction te'nclskto cor;- rect the relation between the-iiail and theend ot the toe, thereby assisting in permanently correcting the difficulty'. v V g I s and th o je t and no l f ature of my invention will be more olearlyand fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawing forming a part of'my specification: 7 r H Figure 1 is a perspective'view of afoot shewing'rny protecting device attached to the nail of one toethereof. p

Figure 2 is a side elevation yiewof a toe before the'prot'ectin'g device is applied thereto. U

'Figu're 3 'is "a cross-sectional v through the nail showing the general outline of the toe, and showing'one portion of in'y protecting device applied'thereto. v

Figure 4 is'a view similar to Figure '3 showing both parts of my nail "protecting device afiixed tothenail. W I M Figure 5 is a top plan view of tlietoeafter the protecting device 'has' been applied] thereto.

Figured is a side elevational view of the toe after the protecting device been applied thereto.

Figure 7 is a perspective viewer enepernon of the protecting device.

Figure 8 is a perspective lview'of the complementary portion of the nail protecting "device. Figure 9 is a top 'plan view of bothsections of the nail'protecting device in overlapping relationship.

Figure -10 is a front ieyati' siia iew or the two,

sections of the nail protecting device in overlapping relationship.

The protecting device, illustrated in general by the letter A, is designed for application to the nail of a toe B, and may be applied to any toe. The protecting device A includes two complementary sections 10 and II which are somewhat similar in general form. The section It! comprises a thickened edge portion 1 2 and a relatively thin upper portion l3. The device A may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, Celluloid, or the like, or may be of a non corrosive or non-rusting metal. The thickened edge portion l2 terminates in a rounded edge M. The protecting device A may extend back on the nail l5 as far as is comfortable or desirable.

The section II also includes a thickened edge portion I6 terminating in a rounded edge I! and includes a relatively thin upper portion [9. The sections I!) and II are generally rectangular in shape, but are curved in cross-section to simulate the cross-sectional curvature of a toe nail. The sections Ill and H of the nail protecting device are designed to fit closely against the surface of the nail. The rounded edge I4 is designed to extend along the edge of the nail and to extend between the nail edge and the adjacent flesh which is outwardly of the nail, the protecting device extending outwardly to the end of the toe. A suitable adhesive is applied to the surface of the nail, or to the section l0, and this section is secured to the nail surface, the rounded edge being urged downwardly between the edge of the nail and the flesh. In Figure 3 of the drawing the nail is indicated by the numeral I5, while the numeral 22 indicates the nail edge. The numeral 2! indicates the point of the nail where the greatest pain is experienced. The rounded edge M of the thickened edge portion 12 extends between the nail edge 22 and the portion 23 of the flesh which lies outwardly of the nail. This protecting device "section'lll tends to flatten the upwardly projecting tip 24 of the flesh, best illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, which projects above the surface of the end of the nail. As a result, pressure againstthe toe does not cause the nail, and particularly the point 2| thereof, to dig into the flesh; as would be the case if the protecting device were not in place. Furthermore, the rounded edge l4 extending between the nail edge and the flesh acts to relieve any pressure against the nail edge and against the point 2| by pressure against the toe.

After the section ll! of the nail protecting device has been applied and the adhesive set, the section II of the nail is applied thereto. The adhesive is applied to the nail or to the section I l, and the rounded edge I! of the thickened portion l6 of the protecting device section II is urged down between the edge 26 of the nail and the portion of flesh 26 which lies outwardly of the nail edge. This section II also projects forwardly from the end of the nail and assists in holding down the upwardly projecting tip end 24 of the toe, so thatthis portion of the toe does not project above the surface of the nail. Pain due to pressure against the toe tending to force this tip end of the toe against the end of the nail, particularly at the points 2|, is thus avoided.

Because of the fact that the protecting device A is formed in two sections I and II, the device may be applied to nails of various widths. The sections l0 and II may be overlapped to a greater or a lesser extent so as to properly protect the nail.

The adhesive which is used for adhering the protecting device to the nail may differ according to the composition of the protecting device. I prefer to use some material, such as Celluloid for the body of the protecting device, and any glue or cement capable of adhering this material together and to the nail may be employed.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of .my nail protecting device, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A nail protecting device comprising a pair of curved guard plates designed to be adhered to the surface of a toe nail in contiguous relation to the side edges of the nail, said plates being of a size to overlap when said plates are of the width of the nail, and said plates projecting forwardly from the toe beyond the end of the nail.

2. A protecting device for toe nails, comprising a shield designed to be adhered to the surface of the nail, said shield having thickened rounded side edges designed to lie outwardly from, and flush with, the side edges of the nail, and said device projecting forwardly from the free end of the nail.

3. A nail protecting device, comprising a pair of curved arcuated flexible plates designed to be secured to, and to conform with the shape of a nail, a thickened edge on each of said plates designed to extend outwardly of, and flush with, the nail edge, and a relatively thin opposite edge on each of said plates designed to extend in overlapping relation.

4. A shield for toe nails and the like, comprising a pair of curved plates designed to be adhered to the nail in overlapping relation, and opposed edges on said plates designed to extend flush with, and to lie outwardly of the nail edges.

5. A nail shield for protecting toe nails, comprising a pair of curved plates, each of said plates being substantially rectangular in form and having one longitudinal edge thereof relatively thick, and the opposed edge thereof relatively thin, the thick edges designed to extend flush with, and lie outwardly from, the nail edges when the plates are adhered to the nail, while the thin edges are designed to extend in overlapping relation, said shield extending forwardly from the nail when adhered thereto.

ERWIN F. COATES. 

